In the 1920s, when Ankara became the capital of Turkey, the diplomatic missions were moved to that city and the old, often magnificent, embassy buildings in Istanbul were transformed into consulates.Today the Swedish Palace in Istanbul holds offices on the ground floor, official reception rooms on the first floor and the Consul- General's private residence on the top floor. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Connected to the garden there is a small chapel, built in 1858 by the Swedish envoy.In 1962, the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul was established. Since 1974, it has been located in the old Dragoman Building in the Palace garden. The Research Institute provides guest rooms, a library, work facilities for visiting scholars and a modern auditorium for up to 50 people. It organises and hosts seminars and academic courses and it is a popular meeting place for Turkish and Swedish scholars.